Politics
GOMEP Report: Kano Records Dramatic Rise To Top Governance Tier
GOMEP Report: Kano Records Dramatic Rise To Top Governance Tier
In a landmark assessment of subnational governance across Nigeria, Guild of Online Media Editors and Publishers (GOMEP) Nigeria has unveiled its 2025 Governance Accountability and Transparency Index (GATI) Report, with Kano State emerging as one of the ten top-performing states in the federation under the prestigious Category A – Exceptional Performance classification.
The latest ranking places Kano alongside Abia, Borno, Ekiti, Anambra, Kaduna, Osun, Delta, Enugu, and Kogi States as leaders in governance transparency, accountability, and institutional responsiveness.
*Kano’s Remarkable Leap: From Average to Exceptional*
Kano State’s inclusion among the top performers represents one of the most dramatic governance turnarounds recorded in the 2025 GATI Report. In the inaugural 2024 edition, the state was ranked under Category C – Average Performance, with an index score of 58.6 points.
However, in the 2025 assessment, Kano surged to Category A – Exceptional Performance, recording an impressive 89.1 points. This extraordinary leap reflects a 30.5-point increase, translating to a 52.05% improvement in governance performance—one of the most significant upward movements nationwide.
*Leadership Driving Transformation*
This remarkable progress has been largely attributed to the governance style and reform-driven leadership of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, whose administration has prioritized transparency, institutional accountability, and people-oriented governance.
Under his leadership, Kano State has witnessed measurable improvements across key governance indicators, including:
1. Fiscal Transparency and Budget Reforms: The state has strengthened public access to budgetary information, enhanced fiscal discipline, and improved disclosure of government expenditures.
2. Public Sector Accountability: Institutional mechanisms have been reinforced to ensure oversight, compliance, and responsible management of public resources.
3. Citizen Engagement: The administration has expanded platforms for public participation, ensuring that citizens play a more active role in governance processes.
4. Digital Governance Initiatives: Deployment of digital systems has improved service delivery, reduced bureaucratic bottlenecks, and enhanced access to government information.
5. Infrastructure and Social Development: Significant investments in education, healthcare, urban renewal, and rural development have contributed to improved public service delivery and citizen satisfaction.
6. Procurement Transparency: Reforms in public procurement processes have ensured openness in contract awards and reduced corruption risks.
7. Media Freedom and Information Access: The state has fostered a more enabling environment for media operations and information dissemination, strengthening democratic accountability.
*GATI Report: A Benchmark for Governance Excellence*
The GATI Report, developed by GOMEP Nigeria, serves as an independent governance performance evaluation framework designed to assess transparency, accountability, and institutional effectiveness across Nigeria’s 36 states.
Established to deepen democratic governance, the index evaluates states using rigorous methodologies, including
Nationwide citizen and stakeholder surveys,
Expert assessments by governance professionals,
Review of official government documents, and Data-driven statistical analysis,
*Multi-layered verification processes*
For the 2025 edition, over 12,600 data entries were generated from approximately 350 governance indicators per state, making the report one of the most comprehensive governance assessment tools in Nigeria. States like Kano achieving Category A – Exceptional Performance scored between 85% and 100%, demonstrating strong adherence to global best practices in governance.
*Recognition and National Significance*
As part of the official unveiling of the report, GOMEP Nigeria announced that the ten top-performing states, including Kano, will be formally honoured with Certificates of Exceptional Performance. In recognition of Kano State’s outstanding achievement, a high-level delegation from GOMEP Nigeria is scheduled to embark on a media project tour and courtesy visit to the Kano State Government later next month. The visit will include Formal presentation of the full GATI Report, Official conferment of the Certificate of Exceptional Performance on Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, and Strategic media engagement highlighting Kano’s governance reforms and development strides
*A Model for Governance Reform*
Kano State’s transformation from an average-performing state to one of Nigeria’s top governance leaders underscores a critical message from the 2025 GATI Report: intentional reforms, strong political will, and institutional discipline can deliver measurable governance results within a short period.
The state’s performance not only elevates its national standing but also positions it as a model for other states seeking to strengthen transparency, accountability, and citizen-centered governance.
The elevation of Kano State into the elite league of top-performing states in Nigeria’s governance index marks a defining moment in its administrative history. It reflects a deliberate shift towards responsible leadership, institutional integrity, and sustainable development.
As GOMEP Nigeria continues to expand the GATI initiative as a national governance barometer, Kano’s success story stands as compelling evidence that transformative leadership and strategic reforms remain the of exceptional governance.
Full List: APC unveils new NWC at national convention in Abuja
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has concluded its 8th national convention in Abuja — reaffirming Nentawe Yilwatda as national chairman and Ajibola Basiru as its secretary.
Delegates at the convention, held at the Eagle Square, also produced a new national working committee (NWC) through a consensus arrangement endorsed by stakeholders.
Ben Nwoye was named deputy national chairman (south), replacing Emma Eneukwu, following consultations within the party.
Sources within the party said the decision was influenced by zoning considerations and consultations among party leaders, with Peter Mbah, Enugu state governor, playing a significant role in ensuring Nwoye’s inclusion.
In his acceptance speech, Yilwatda said his re-election was a call to greater service and pledged commitment to unity within the ruling party.
“We are ready to serve, ready to lead, and we are ready to build the party, together with the nation,” he said.
He added that the new leadership would not “fail or falter” in carrying out its responsibilities.
President Bola Tinubu, Vice-President Kashim Shettima, governors, members of the national assembly, and other party leaders graced the convention.
FULL LIST OF APC NWC
• National chairman — Nentawe Yilwatda
• Deputy national chairman (north) — Ali Bukar Dalori
• Deputy national chairman (south) — Benjamin Obi Nwoye
• National secretary — Surajudeen Ajibola Basiru
• Deputy national secretary — AbdulKarim Abubakar Kana
• National legal adviser — Murtala Aliyu Kankia
• National treasurer — Uguru Mathew Ofoke
• National financial secretary — Haruna Ginsau
• National organising secretary — Muhammad Sulaiman Argungu
• National welfare secretary — Donatus Enyinnah Nwankpa
• National publicity secretary — Felix Morka
• National auditor — Abubakar Maikafi
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• National women leader — Mary A. Idele
• National youth leader — Dayo Israel
• National leader (persons with disabilities) — Durotolu Oyebode Bankole
• Deputy national financial secretary — Hammam Adamu Ali Kumo
• Deputy national organising secretary — Emeka Okafor
• Deputy national women leader — Zainab Abubakar Ibrahim
• Deputy national publicity secretary — Meseko Durosinmi Josiah
• Deputy national welfare secretary — Christopher Michael Akpan
• Deputy national auditor — Olugbenga Olayemi
APC unveils new NWC
• Deputy national legal adviser — Ibrahim Salawu
• Deputy national treasurer — Ben Akak
• Deputy national youth leader — Jamaludeen Kabiru
• National ex-officio (north-central) — Opawoye Oluwatoyin Bunmi
• National ex-officio (north-east) — Adamu Jallah
• National ex-officio (north-west) — Kano Muhammed Jamu Yusuf
• National ex-officio (south-east) — Ikechukwu Umeh
• National ex-officio (south-south) — Francis Kolokolo
• National ex-officio (south-west) — Bunmi Orinowo
Abia State Won’t Get Paid For Fixing Federal Roads, Says Governor Otti
Abia State won’t get paid for fixing federal roads. Mr Otti said the new federal government’s policy was that states could toll such roads “if they want their money back.”
Abia state governor, Alex Otti
Abia state governor, Alex Otti
Governor Alex Otti of Abia says the federal government has no plans to reimburse the state for federal road projects his administration executed.
Speaking at his monthly media interactive session with journalists on Friday night, Mr Otti said the new federal government’s policy was that states could toll such roads “if they want their money back.”
He reiterated his administration’s commitment to fixing all Abia roads, federal or state, saying, “They’re all used by Abia residents.”
“Before we jump on any federal road, we have long engagements with the federal government, and those roads must be ceded to us in writing,” he said.
Mr Otti also addressed compensation concerns for the Umuahia-Ikot Ekpene Road rehabilitation, saying he expected the federal government to pay since it awarded the project without funding.
He said, “We always pay compensation on any route we are entering.
Abia State
“But then, my understanding is that, if there was any compensation to be paid, the federal government should have done so because the route was actually awarded but was not funded. So, that’s my understanding. I can’t be too sure.”
The state government had undertaken to rehabilitate critical federal roads, including the Umuahia-Ikot Ekpene Road, the Owerrinta-Umuikaa dual carriageway, and the Ohafia-Arochukwu Road, among others.
The governor reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to establishing a state police.
He said, “The new general manager for Homeland Security is working with his team to get us ready once the whistle is blown.”
Mr Otti ruled out any possible defection to another party, saying he would run for reelection on the Labour Party (LP) platform in 2027.
According to him, the Supreme Court decision has settled the party leadership crisis.
He, therefore, urged interested Nigerians to register for LP membership.
Mr Otti described the progress on the newly introduced electric buses as “exciting,” saying 30 more buses were expected by July, bringing the total to 50.
Kwankwaso Sets To Join ADC On Monday
Kwankwaso Sets to join ADC on Monday. The decision followed Mr Kwankwaso’s series of engagements with ADC stakeholders and other opposition figures in recent weeks.
Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, a former Kano State governor and national leader of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), is set to join the African Democratic Congress (ADC) on Monday.
The announcement was made in a notice posted on X by Mr Kwankwaso’s media aide, Saifullahi Hassan, on Saturday.
“The general public is hereby invited to witness the official registration of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) by the Leader, Sen. Dr Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso,” the notice read.
The decision followed Mr Kwankwaso’s series of engagements with ADC stakeholders and other opposition figures in recent weeks. The politician had met with party leaders in Kano last week.
The former governor also had meetings with key political figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former presidential candidate Peter Obi, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, the senator representing Bayelsa West, Seriake Dickson, and several others.
Mr Kwankwaso’s move to align with the ADC is part of the opposition’s ongoing strategies to unseat President Bola Tinubu in 2027.
Kwankwaso Sets To Join ADC On Monday
His defection came weeks after his political protégé, Kano State governor Abba Yusuf, defected to the ruling APC, a move Mr Kwankwaso opposed and described as betrayal.
Mr Kwankwaso said on January 3, 2026, that he would consider switching allegiance to another political party if offered either the presidential or vice-presidential ticket for the 2027 general election.
“I have made it categorically clear that I will only join a coalition that considers me as either the presidential or vice-presidential candidate,” Mr Kwankwaso said while addressing his supporters from the NNPP, who paid a visit to his residence in Kano.
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